Cleaning device



Nov. 8, 19342,. l.. o. BALINGER 1,887,447

CLEANING DEVICE Filed Sept. 17, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 17195 1B ATTORNEYS il 'LEE @.BALINGER Nov. 8, 1932. Q BAUNGER 1,887,447

CLEANING DEVIC E Filed Sept. 1'7, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 52) l//l//l/l/[lll/lll//l/l/ 47 INVNTOR LEE O. BAUNCER BYS iluminan,

Patented Nov. 8i, 1932E f AUNITED .f STATES ILEE 0. BALINGER, F

LAKEWOOD, OHIO,

VVESSELER, OF EAST CLEVELAND, OHIOy AssIGNOE OE OEE-THIRD gro CLEANING nEvroE Application filed September 17, 1932. Serial No. 633,635.

This application isa Continuation in part of 'my application Serial No. 624,033, filed July 22,1932. i

This invention, as indicated, relates to a cleaning device. More particularly, it comprises a unitary structure embodying means for applying a film of moisture to a surface and having a rubbing or squeegee device? I which may thereafter be utilized to distribute 10 such liquid over the surface and to remove the dirt and excess moisture from such surface. It is not intended to limit the device to cleaning purposes, as it may be foundV ofY advantage in spreading liquid or coatings of l5 various kinds over extended surfaces, and

may be adaptable for distributing other material in an even layer, under special circumstances. However, the kprincipal use for said 4device is for Window cleaning purposes, both vfor household use and for automobiles and the like. Y

The principal object of the present in-l of grit andV dirt from the surface and inthe saine device provide a squeegee or similarmeans for removing such softened grit and dirt and excess moisture from the surface.

Another object of vthe invention `is to provide an article having a reservoir for cleaning material, preferablyin` liquid form, With means carried by the same device for spreading such Yliquid and removing the excess thereof, together with the accumulated grit:

and dirt from such surface. Y

Another Object of the` invention is to provide a simple hand implement whereby the 10 cleaning Aoperation can be carried out by stroking the implement in one predetermined direction, or with a scrubbing motion back and forth to perform the moistening and scrubbing operation, and then Without reversing the device, stroking it in a direction opposite the first-mentioneddirection in a single stroke or in a plurality ofvsuccessive strokes in said'direction, to perform the squeegeeing or drying andpolishing operation. v

"A further object of the invention is to provide a cleansing implement particularly adaptedfor Window-cleaning, and capable yof manufacture in a variety of forms including and wiping of the surface by merely changv ing the stroking of the surface and Without reversing the implement end for lend or changing from one side to the other With Vthe consequent dripping of excess moisture.

Another object is to provide an implement capable of being made as an integralrubber or rubber composition structure Witha minimum of finishing operations. l Y Y Y Another Object is to provide a reservoir" and a valve or dispensing means iny one Wall thereof for supplying fluid adjacent the sur face contacting member or members in regulated amount andV of dependable supply.

A. further object is to provide a reservoirhaving a Vheavy front Wall formed with an effective liquid dispensing orifice or valve j preferably in the formof a thin slit through" said Wall and normally closed,.vvith the Wall material in repose andunflexed, rand which maybe flexedV to Open' saidvalve and com-l' municate With the reservoirV preferably WILLIAM J.

a type permitting the wetting andscrubbing through feeding and distributing-channelsr or recessesvvhich assist the valve action and modify and regulate the liquid flow.

yAnother object of the invention-.is to provide a capillary channel at the outer endV of the fluid passageway from said'- reservoir, which channel will serve to modify and'regulate the liquid flow and serve asa priming and excess liquid receptacle during the oper ation of the device.

A further' object ofV the invention is to y provide a recess at the inner face Vof the front Wall of the device, at the position of the inner end of the valve slit, to prevent fleiing -action at such point, closing the inner end of the liquid passageway, While remaining portion thereof. y f Y Another object is to provide structure adapted for use on a handle or rod, or formed, With an internal structure which will'. be semi-rigid at its front Vedge When made'in", large units for'hand operation.A "Y f -Other and furthergobjectsof the invention opening the will appear in the course of the following description. e

The annexed drawings and thel following description set forth in detailV certain means embodying my invention, such means constituting, however, but several of the various forms in which the principle of the invention may be illustrated.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view showing a preferred form of constructionembodying the features of the invention; y

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a central transverse sectional view of the device shown in Figures l and 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a modified form-of liquid distributing elements;

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 3 showing another modified forni of construction;

Figure 6 isa viewsimilar` t0 Figure 3 showing a modified form of liquid distributing elements; f Y

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a still further modified form of liquid-.distributing elements with a sponge rubber facing adjacent the squeegee element; y

Figure 8 is a central transverse sectional view showing a form of construction adapted for use upon a pole or handle; and

Figure l9 is a top plan view showing a form of construction adapted for large sized units and embodying internal vreinfcrircement to prov-ide a semi-rigid support for the front edge of the device.

. VA s is clearly shown in Figures' l, 2 and'3, the preferred form of construction comprises a substantially rectangular body l preferably formed entirely of rubber or rubber composition as one integral unit, and having a hollow interior to provide -a fluid reservoir 2 closed except for one or more valve-like openings 3 at 'the front portion 4 of the device.

The device in most instances is intended for useas a hand implement although it may be mounted on an extension handle or be part -of a mechanically operated cleaning device. It therefore is preferably constructed of a sitz-e to easily be held within the hand of the operator with the thumb andiingers gaSping the same adjacent the front edge. The'rearward corners of the body are preferably rounded and a flat smooth central band 5 may be formed about the ysides and back of the body. The bottom face 6 is preferably substantially 'flat and the top surface 7 of 'the body adjacent the lfront edge may curve downwardly to provide a somewhat less thick front edge than the thickness of A the body or of the rearward edge thereof.

The body member may be 'for-med of stiff material with fhe'avy walls throughout so as to yield to filling or ejecting pressure only upon very forceful manipulation of the device or may be provided with relatively thin rearward and top, bottom and side walls with a relatively heavy front wall. This front kwall as shown in Figures 3 to 8, more particularly, is of sufficient rigidity'to maintain a straight edge for the squeegee when used for polishing the surface.

The front portion ofthe device need merely comprise the essential elements, of the squeegee strip or edge 8 and the valve-like slit or opening 3 through the front wall, but preferably as is shown in Figure 3,`is so vformed that there will be no excess of moisture applied to the surface operated upon and thus may incorporate fluid controlling means, such as a recess 9 on the inside of the receptacle, a channel-lilre capillary groove ll formed in the outside face, and terminating short of the ends of the structure, and a slit c nnecting the recess with the groove through the solid. body of the relatively heavy front wall of the structure, and forming the valvel like opening 3. p v

The squeegee strip 8 as shown in Figures l and 3 comprises the lower front edge slitted horizontally so as to provide a pair of parallel strips or flaps flexing to provide a double surface Contact with the surface operatedv on. Above these strips a groove or channel 12 is formed which is shallow and separates the squeegee strip or strips from the upper rubbing member 13, which is positioned at the upper edge of the structure parallel to the squeegee strip. rlhe material Vof the front edge above thev groove is preferably slitted longitudinally with av pair of parallel slits ltand transversely with a plurality of parallel slits 15 giving something of a checker board appearance to said area. This subdivided surface immediately above the channel provides a series of capillary grooves and channels acting most effectively as a moisture-applying means. It operates with less moisture content than a sponge andis far more even and idependable in its action land serves as Ya liquid c film distributing` and grime and dirt dislodging element far better than a solid rubbing element or an applicator which is too soft and too moist, such as a sponge. A

The slit connecting the channel with the receptacle may comprise a single slit 3 through the heavy front wall, as shown in Figure 3,01" may comprise a plurality of such slits 3a, 3b as shown in Figure 9. A single slit sulces in most cases, as the degree of moisture thus obtained is sulhcient to clean a surface without dripping liquid, and byy economizing cleansing liquid, the device is not only more cleanly to handle, but also has a larger range of action without refilling.

The position 'and shape of the channel and l slit and inner recess may be varied in accordance with theuse and size ofthe device' and is required the shape shown in Figure 3 willV and outwardly.

CII

the severity of the work to be imposed upon it.

When moderate scrubbing action of a relatively light film of dirt or grime is all that operate very satisfactorily. vThe heavy front wall of the receptacle is preferably formed with a longitudinal channel 12 Aof greater di- Vniension at its rearward than at its forward end,Y the top wall being inclined downwardly The recess 9 at the inner wall face-is adjacent the lower wall of the receptacle or reservoir and the slit 3 through the body of the front lwall connecting trie capillary channel ll with the recess 9 extends in a downwardly inclineddirection.

Various types of front wall surfaces and contours may be provided to effect the purpose in hand and the connection of the narrow longitudinal capillary channel with the internal recess of the reservoir may be variously disposed.

As is clearly shown in Figure 4, the squeegee strips 8 are in substantially the'sarne position at the lower edge of the device as in the construction shown inFigure 3. The capillary longitudinal groove 1l however is positioned slightly above the central horizontal. plane of the device and communicates with a channel 16 formed centrally of the vertically subdivided rubbing area of the forward edge.

i This channel 16 preferably has top and bottom walls inclined outwardly toward each other so as to provide a moisture retaining recess when in inoperative positiombut which will serve as a primary-film applying means when said area is placed against the surface to be cleaned. This rubbing edge of the forward edge is separated from the squeegee strips by means of a shallow groove 17 havingV parallel top and bottom walls. The capillary groove l1 extends approximately half way through the thickened front wall of the device and is connected at its rearward end with the recess 9 formed at the base ofthe reservoir on the inner face of the front wall by means of a. slit 3 acting as a self-sealing valve in aV manner hereinbefore described.

The construction shown in Figure 5 is substantially like that shown in Figure 4 with tue exception that the second channel on the front face is omitted and the capillary groove ll is formed closely adjacent the upper part Gf the front portion of the device and at its inner end at preferablya central point is connected by means of a short downwardlyextending slit 3 with an elongated recess 18" formed in the lower portion of the front inner wall of the reservoir. Thus the front edge of this device presents at its lower portion a squeegee strip 8 comprising parallel members above which is a shallow longitudinal groove-separating the squeegee strip from the rubbing section of the front edge.` The rubbing section 13 is preferably subdivided by means of aseries of vertical parallel slits providing a.l series of rubber lugs or fingers thereof. c

The form of construction shown in 4Figure 6 illustrates another type of construction, whereinthe front wall'4 is formed without extending parallelly substantially the length 'I a capillary groove and wherein theV liquid reservoir 2 lhas a largerecess 20. formed centrally of its front wall, within the curved frontl wall of which recess, a ksmaller recess 21 is formed, which communicates withr a valve-like slit 22centrally of the rubbing area` of the front face of thedevice. The rubbing area of the front wall isl preferablyl formed with faces 23, 24 inclined inwardly toward said slit so as to permit frictionalengagement with thev surface operated upon to open thel slit to permit the flow of cleansingv fluid theref through. The lower front edge 25 of the de-A vice may be used as a polishing or squeegee element by suitably inclining the-device or as shown 1n said Figure 6, a squeegee strip 26 may be providedfat the upper edge'of the structure spaced from the lower wall portion.

l shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5; should the operator sov desire.

vmoi:

The device shown in Figure 7 incorporates I at the forward face of the structure a rubl bing element 3l preferably formed of sponge'- rubber,V which maybe integrally formed therewith. The-thickened front wall 4 of the device is` provided with arecessl32-ad jacent its lower inner portion anda slit 33 parallel to the bottom wall of the structure is formed through the front wall ata ceutral point, the forwardk portion of the bottom wall serving as a squeegee strip 34 whiehmay beV subdivided to provide a pairof parallel 4strip members'.Y The device just described `will serve to deliver moisture to the forward face of the structure upon theV contact of the squeegee strip with a surface when moved-in an upward direction so as to turnthe stripA portion outwardly. To effect this purpose the squeegee strip is made slightly longer th an the front face of the device and projects slightly beyond the surface of the spongev element so that the opening of the'valve-lile element may be vreadily brought about. Ob-

viously thev downward movement of the squeeg-ee strip serves to tightly seal the valve element and prevent the .flow of. liquid therethrough.

The structure shown in Figure 8 illus*- trates a structure of the type heretofore described adapted for use upon an extension handle such as a short pole or rod whereby the device may be used on windows or other surfaces not readily accessible because of theirv height.. This device provides a hollow body member 4l which carries the integral rubber socketV 42 which may be corrugated on its interior, and within which the handle member (not shown) may be engaged..r The socket is preferably given a slight inclination rearwardly so that the device maybe usedV in a. substantially horizontal position against the sur faceoperated on. The thickening of the body structure of the device along its forward face and lower central area provides a supporting fra-.me to insurethe smooth operation of the device..

The squeegee strip 43 is positioned at the lower edge of the front face of the device. and may comprise double overlyingv strips asy shown in Figure 8'. A shallow channel 44 separates the squeegee from the rubbing area 45l which preferably is formed'with three longitudinal slits 46, 47, 48, the central slit 4'? communicating with a longitudinally extending cylindrical passageway 49 formed in the body of the front wall. This passageway communicates by means of a downwardly eX- tending slit 50 with a recess 51 in thefront' wallof the reservoir 52..

The device shown in Figure 9' is intended for large units for hand operation. It .includes a hollowl body 61 with a capillary groove 62' in its front edge. In: place of a single slit communicating between the capi llary groove of the front edge and the recess in the inner wall of the reservoina plurality of such slits 3u and 36 may' be made, two

being shown in Figure 9, whereby in the la'rgerlimits made to carry out theV principle of the invention an adequate supply of cleansing fluid may be obtained at all times.

'llhe reinforcing of the device, so that it maybe usedin: large size units of greater length or dlepth than will -conveniently fit within: the hand ofthe user is providedl i-n the structure'- shown in Figure 9- by a thickened central yarea 63, which may be firmly pressed'. by the user without pressing'. upon the reservoir so as to eject cleansing fluid therefrom;V

This` thickened centralv area may subdivide the reservoir iiitotwo independent compartmentslwhich must be independently manipulated to'; fill. ilfuidinto or ej ect uid' from the saine, or may have a reservoir of saddle-bag shape,V as shown in Figure 9. Units of eX- tended' width or depth or both may be constructed in this manner so as to give unusual reservoir capacity toa single unit permitting the cleansing of large areas of surface with a single filling of the device.

Themethod of operating the devicehas already been indicated in connection with the description of its construction-but will beY briefly summarized in view of the fact that a number of different forms of the construction have been illustrated. The device may be filled by pressing upon the resilient sides of the reservoir and placing the device under' waterv and allowing the reservoir to expand.

lt likewise may be filled by repeatedly pressing and releasing the body of the same with A the front edge held beneath a stream"v of run ningwatei' preferably in an rip-turned position. It likewise may be filled. by holding intoA a pail or basin of water and permitting the reservoir to suck up the cleansing fluid.

lVhen wholly or partiallylilled, the device is ready to be applied to the surface to be cleaned and this may be accomplished by stroking a device such as is shown in Figures l to 3 upwardly on the surface so as topermit the ldischarge of athin film of water and thereafter stroking the device downwardly to wipe or sc ueegee the same. By turning the device in thev hand through a slight arc of movement about a plane inclined slightly downwardly, an up and down scrubbing inotion may be made, this serving to apply moisture and spread the same rather than to wipe the moisture free of the surface during such short up and down strokes. vWhen a suitable area of the surface has been thus nioistened, the wiping or squeegee action ofthe device may be applied to the surface byy firmly gripY ping the device adjacent its forward edge with the linger extending over the body of the structure and firmly rawing the device" downwardly over the'surface with the squeegee edge in contact withthe surface and the body member inclined in'a slightly downwardfV direction from said surface. Repettion of this series of steps willI enable the op'- erator to quickly cover the entire extent of tliesurface to be cleansed and produce a clean highly-polished surface within a very short period of time.

In place of relying upon the slight pressure on the receptacle induced by the flexingofthev body thereof with the upward movement of the device, liquid may be ejected from the reservoir by slight pressure upon the top and bottom walls of said reservoir. Shouldy this pressure be abruptly made with the type of construction shown in Figure 6, Vliquid: may be ejected from theorifice directly against the surface to be cleansed even though thede vice is not in contact with said surfaceI but the operation heretofore describedr of gentlyflowing the liquidy through'the orifice and distributing the film of liquid running overv the icc y front wall thereof over-said surface by means fl c l 1 n Y or a series of running elements or by nie-ans of such elements and the squeegee'eiement is to be preferred, inasmuch as greater economy of liquid consumption is thus brought about with increased cleanliness of operation and ing operation.

lVhat I claim is: 1. An article ofthe character described, having in combination an elastic body member associated with a. fluid supply and anelon gated squeegee comprising avalve element supported thereon.

2. An article of the character described, having in combination an elastic body inember providing a .cleansing Afluid receptacle within the interior thereof, and an elongated squeegee comprising a valve element supported thereon. x Y Y Y f 3. An article of the character described, having in combination a hollow body'formed wholly of rubber having a heavy front wall portion, a squeegee element provided on said wall, and a valve-like pasagewafy through said wall into said hollow interior of saidv body for dispensing cleansing fluid `therefrom, said squeegee being adapted to close said passageway.

'4. An article of the character cescribed, having in combination a unitary hollow body formed wholly of rubber having a Vvheavy front wall portion, a heavy rearward extension connected with said front wall, a squeeoiee element integral with said wall, and at least one valve-like passageway through said wall into said hollow interior of said body for dispensingcleansing duid therefrom.

5. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a hollow body least one wall of which is formed wholly of rub.- ber composition, said WallV having a capillary channel in the form of an elongated slit at one side thereof to dispense cleansing fluid to the surface operated on, a. reservoir Vadi cent said capillary channel and a valve-l is passagewav connectiinT said channel with said reservoir.

6. An appara tus of the character described. i

' trolling said orifice.

ber composition, said wall having a `plurality of intersecting capillary channels at one side thereof to dispens-e cleansing fluid to the surface operated on, said channels extending substantially vertically and horizontally, a reser-llm voir adjacentsaid capillary channels and a valve-like passageway adjacent said channels for supplying liquid thereto from said reservoir. Y

of elastic. material to provide a liquid reservoir and having` a projecting rubber squeegee element rigidly mounted thereon, and an orimeinber to` permit the filling and discharging 0f said reservoirsaid orifice being positioned closely adjacent saidsqueegee element, and Vmeans associated with said squeegee element 7 An article of the character describedjg;vr .having in combination a hollow body formed lice extending through the wall of said body--ho for closing saidcorilice againstthe dischargess of the contents of said reservoir when said squeegeeelemeii't is movedvin surface-cleansingdirection and for freeing said orifice from side `with an elongated orifice adapted to be opened and closedand'permitting the fillingf! int-o and discharge from the interior of said body of liquid to be applied to .a surface by said structure, and selective means 'for con- 9. Ain article of the character having in combination a hollow body formed of elastic material and providedadj acent one side with an elongated orifice adapted to be.V opened and closed, and permitting the filling into and discharge frointhe interior of saidf'f bodyof liquid to be applied to a surfaceby said structure, selective means forcontrolling said orifice, and a squeegee element associated with said body member for distributing the liquid supply therefromand cleansing the to be operated on. Y

10. An article of the character described. having lin combination a hollow body providing a normally closed reservoir formed of rubber composition and provided adjacent one side with an elongated orifice adapted to be opened and closed, and perrni ting the filling into and discharge from the interior of said body of liquid to be applied to a surface by said structure, and a queegee element asso-v ciated with said body niemberjfor distributing the liquid supply therefrom and cleansing the surface to be operated on, such squeegee to said hollow interior of the body and serving to control the opening and closing of said orifice. l1. A window-cleaning'device adapted to be made wholly of rubber having a. substantial degree 'of elasticity with a substantially describechlfloo member being positioned adjacent'said orifice- Y surface 11o be made wholly of rubber as an integral structure having a substantial degree of elasticity, and providing a body member formed with-a 1,10liollow interior serving asa reservoir to receive a cleansing fluid, an orifice extendingl through an outer wall of said member into said Vreservoir for the filling and discharge thereof, and a longitudinally extending rubber squeegee element formed integrally on 4said member.

13; A window-'cleaning device-adapted to Vbe made wholl vof rubber havin@ a substantial degree of elasticity, and providing a body member formed with a hollow interior servjing as a reservoir to receive a cleansingfluid,

an orifice in the form of a narrow slit extending through an outer wall of said member into said reservoir for the filling and discharge thereof, and a longitudinally extending rubber squeegee element formed lintegrally with said member.

14. A window-cleaning.device adapted to be made wholly of rubber having a substantial degree of elasticity, and providing a body member formed with a hollow interior serving `as a reservoir to receive a cleansing iiuid, an orifice in the form of a narrow slit extending through an outer wall of said member into said reservoir for the filling and discharge thereof, a longitudinally extending rubber squeegee element formed integrally with said member, and means responsive to pressure onfthe walls ofsaid body member for filling and discharging liquid from said reservoir through said orifice.

15.,An integral elongated hollow bodyV member formed wholly of rubber, an elongated squeegee strip supported thereon, an elongated normally closed discharge orifice adjacent said strip and operable through movement of'said body member.

16. An elongated hollow body member formed with at least one wall of rubber, a normally closed discharge orifice formed through said wall and operable through movement of said body member, and a squeegee element supported adjacent said discharge orifice.

17. A surface cleaning implement of resilient material having incombination a hollow interior reservoir, and a capillarychannel in the form of an elongated slit at one side thereof to dispense cleansing fluid to said surface. V

18. A surface cleaning implement of resilient material having a hollow interior Vres-V i ervoir, a recess formed in an innei' face of a wall of said reservoir, a capillary channel formed in the outer face of said wall and a valve-like slit connecting said recess and channel and operable to dispense fluid from said reservoir through the movement of said implement.

- 19. A window cleaning device in the form of a substantially rectangular hand-fitting block formed wholly `of rubber composition and having in combination an elongated surface contacting face of substantial area a portion of which is formed of one or moreV capillary moisture retaining elements inthe form of elongated slits, and another portion of which is formed of one or more squeegeeing elements and spaced from the elements" j elements, lsaid moisture and squeegeeing elements being positioned in substantially parallel relation and separated from each other by a groove adapted to receive moisture and- 11i-3g provide a -dry edge for the squeegee mem- 21. A window cleaning device in the form of a substantially rectangular handfitting block formed wholly of rubber composition and providing a body portion presenting a hand grip portion Iand a longitu` dinal front face, a sponge rubber element along one edge and a squeegee element along another yedge of said front face.

22. A window cleaning device in the form of a substantially rectangular hollow blockfr formed wholly of rubber providing a reservoir, one face of whichV is adapted to serve as a surface moistening and squ'eegeeing device without reversing the same in the hand of the operator, said face havin-g a sponge rubber area adjacent one longitudinal edge, means adjacent thereto communicating with said reservoir, and a squeegee element along the opposite longitudinal edge projecting slightly beyond said moisture applying element so as to preserve a'dry edge.

23. A window cleaning device formed wholly of rubber having a hollow body portion providing a reservoir and a support7 an integral handle socket beneath said support, an elongated moisture supplying and distrib- 'uting member adjacent one edge of the forward face of said support, means adjacent thereto communicating with said reservoir, and an elongated squeegeeing member adjacent the'other edge of the forward face of-said support.

Signed by me this 9th day of September,

` LEE O. BALINGER.

fics 

